Insect trap

Abstract

A simple three-piece insect trap for attracting and capturing flying insects consists of a hollow, opaque bait container having a neck with openings for admitting flies and a body for holding insect bait, a cone section mounted on the bait container neck for directing insects upward, and a transparent top cover mounted around the cone section for trapping the insects. The upper wall of the bait container body extends inwardly toward the neck of the bait container to form a shelf on which flying insects can land when attracted by volatile constituents which emanate from bait within the body. Moreover, an outwardly opening annular cavity is formed between the shelf on the bait container and the lower wall of the cone section, each of which are opaque to encourage flies to enter the neck through the apertures. When insects enter the aperture, they are discouraged by darkness from flying toward the bait in the opaque bait container. Conversely, the cone section is open at its top to admit light and to permit insects to pass from the cone to the cover, where they remain trapped.

We claim: 
     
       1. An insect trap comprising a bait container and an entrapment chamber, the bait container comprising a hollow body for holding bait, the body including a bottom wall, an upright side wall with an upper edge and a lower edge, the lower edge of the side wall being secured to the bottom wall around the periphery of the bottom wall, a shelf having an outer periphery secured to the upper edge of the sidewall and extending-inwardly to terminate at an inner periphery which defines an opening into the body, and an upright neck having an upper periphery and a lower periphery secured to the inner periphery of the shelf, the neck having at least one aperture extending through it; the entrapment chamber comprising a rim which makes a close fit with the neck, an upwardly and inwardly extending hollow truncated cone having an open apex and a base secured to the rim, an outwardly extending annular flange secured at its inner periphery to the rim, an annular sidewall having lower and upper edges, the lower edge of the sidewall being secured to the outer periphery of the flange, and a top wall secured to the upper edge of the sidewall, the flange being spaced above the shelf to form with the shelf an outwardly opening channel around the exterior of the neck.   
     
     
       2. The insect trap of claim 1 in which the bait container is opaque. 
     
     
       3. The insect trap of claim 1 in which the hollow truncated cone comprises a light diffuser. 
     
     
       4. The insect trap of claim 1 in which at least the top wall of the entrapment chamber is transparent. 
     
     
       5. The insect trap of claim 1 in which the annular flange of the entrapment chamber is opaque, and the shelf of the bait container is opaque forming a darkened cavity externally adjacent the aperture in the neck. 
     
     
       6. The insect trap of claim 1 in which the rim of the entrapment chamber attaches to the neck of the bait container above the aperture by a car lock assembly. 
     
     
       7. The insect trap of claim 1 in which lower edge of the annular sidewall of the entrapment chamber detachably couples to an outer edge of the annular flange by a lock assembly. 
     
     
       8. The insect trap of claim 1 in which the hollow truncated cone is translucent to encourage flying insects toward the open apex. 
     
     
       9. The insect trap of claim 1 further comprising a means for disposing insects trapped within the entrapment chamber, including a detachable lock assembly between the entrapment chamber and the ba it container. 
     
     
       10. The insect trap of claim 1 in which the annular flange has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the shelf. 
     
     
       11. The insect trap of claim 1 in which the shelf and annular flange are textured to allow flying insects to crawl toward the aperture. 
     
     
       12. The insect trap of claim 1 in which the neck has a plurality of apertures extending through it. 
     
     
       13. The insect trap of claim 1 in which the rim of the entrapment chamber attaches to the neck of the bait container above the aperture by a screw lock assembly. 
     
     
       14. The insect trap of claim 1 in which the sidewall of the entrapment chamber detachably couples to the flange by a cam lock assembly. 
     
     
       15. The insect trap of claim 1 in which the annular sidewall of the entrapment chamber detachably couples to the outer periphery of the flange by a screw lock assembly. 
     
     
       16. The insect trap of claim 1 in which the hollow truncated cone has a textured interior wall to allow flying insects to crawl toward the open apex. 
     
     
       17. The insect trap of claim 1 in which the hollow truncated cone has a smooth exterior wall to prevent flying insects from crawling toward the open apex. 
     
     
       18. The insect trap of claim 1 further comprising a means for disposing insects trapped within the top cover, including a detachable lock assembly between the cover and the cone. 
     
     
       19. The insect trap of claim 1 further comprising a hollow loop formed on the top wall for hanging the trap. 
     
     
       20. The insect trap of claim 1 in which the top wall transmits light at least as well as the hollow truncated cone. 
     
     
       21. The insect trap of claim 1 in which the lower edge of the entrapment chamber is releasably secured to the outer periphery of the flange, and the exterior dimensions of the body are such that the body will nest inside the sidewall when it is disconnected from the flange to provide a compact package for shipping. 
     
     
       22. An insect trap according to claim 21 in which the apex of the cone is smaller than the opening through the neck of the body so the cone can be nested at least partially within the body to provide a compact package for shipping.